CHAPTER 5

Marie smirks, a bit chuckling when she sees her son hiding in the kitchen with her. "You're not as clever as you two think you are," she says.

Why do you say that? When York hears her hissing, he scolds her and they both glance out the kitchen door to see Richard enter a conference room with Lana and Roman, the former looking smug and the latter still looking a little puzzled.

Oh all-mighty Alpha Lancaster, where are your guards at? Lana grinned and jumped into one of the rotating seats arranged around the table.

She closes her mouth and sits up straight as Richard clears his throat, giving her the silent command to act appropriately. She is aware to keep it together and pay attention because her dad doesn't take things seriously very often.

She still doesn't understand why she has been kept in the dark about all that will happen next.

Roman receives a pair of clothing from Richard, catches them with a smile on his face, changes in the restroom, and comes out in less than a minute with the dress pants and button-up shirt squeezing him like they were painted on.

Lana focuses on him while admiring the scene. At the table, everyone is seated with Lana at the head, Roman to her right, and Richard to her left.

Richard seemed quite afraid to speak, "What I am going to ask involves both of you," he says.

Roman's brow furrows briefly as he says, "I need your assistance in identifying the Unfortunate Alpha."

What exactly did he say? Sonya gapes.

Lana replies to her wolf, equally perplexed, "Honestly, I have no idea."

"Why?" He inquires while furrowing his brow and placing his palms on the desk in front of him.

In anticipation of her father's words, Lana similarly leans forward.

He explains, "Because I want to set up a meeting between him and Lana," to which Lana screams out of her seat while her face turns red.

She growls, "Dad," appearing like she's going to jump at him and rip his eyeballs out.

Roman notices this and gets up from his chair as well, forcing her to get back in her seat as he keeps his hands on her shoulders and maintains an even gaze at Richard.

It wouldn't be a cordial encounter with Richard present.

He would have arranged the appointment so that his daughter may meet someone.

Lana urged Richard to leave it alone and let nature take its course, but even though he was a wonderful father and never allowed anyone to make a negative comment about her relationship status, he never gave up trying to find her a partner.

Roman says, "I won't set anything up without Lana's permission," and the older man twitches with two sets of eyes staring at him.

Richard stands forward and addresses Roman directly, "Roman, I am asking you, Alpha to Alpha."

Roman replies, releasing go of Lana's shoulders as he feels her stand up, "Richard, I am asking you, as a father, to think about what you are asking me and what this says about Lana."

Lana accuses her father while pointing a finger at her while trembling with wrath.

As he attempts to say "Lana," she shakes her head and scrunches up her face.

Richard's face falls as he approaches his daughter with the words "I don't care, you had absolutely no right," but Roman blocks their path.

Roman speaks softly to the man, watching Lana in case she lunges at her father, "With all due respect, Richard, I think she needs to cool off.

Lana can feel her rage building, but she realizes why she recognizes Roman's name - he's the Alpha that everyone refers to as the peacekeeper. "she attacked me an hour ago, and her wolf isn't entirely recovered yet." He spends all of his time-solving other people's problems, which is why he never attends council meetings.

Richard, who appears to be focused on his daughter and only hearing a portion of what Roman said, murmurs, "Lana, you have to understand - we can't see you go through another day like today or the other times."

"Attack? Exactly why did you attack him?" After giving it some thought, Richard believes it isn't as crucial as the current situation, and he invites Marie to join him.

She enters, raises an eyebrow at her husband, and notices the tension in the space. How did you behave? As she bonds him, she glances at the Alpha who is separating the two and preventing her daughter from attacking her husband.

He answers swiftly, hoping his wife can intervene. I requested him to assist me in arranging a meeting between Lana and the Alpha who is similar to her.

As she moves to drag her husband back a few paces, Marie raises an eyebrow.

"She had to make that decision; you had to have informed her and allowed her to make her own decision.

The way you've handled things, you might as well be setting up a marriage for her "Lana agrees as she speaks softly in his ear.

Roman moves out from between them, appearing incredibly awkward and uneasy.

"I wasn't trying to go too far. As I leave, please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns "He says quietly before turning to leave through the door.

Richard speaks up out of the blue, "Take her with you," to which the other three reply, "What?" He quickly replies, "For training," wringing his hands in anxiety over what his daughter may think.

Why do you say that? Alpha Roman queries as she makes a wary and inquisitive turnaround.

"She received her training from six alphas, including me.

However, she has not received training in the West "Richard explains in a hurry.

His wife and daughter are watching him with utter terror, wondering what he's trying to do.

York enters the conference room hastily after being ordered by his mother and sister to do so, to which he is informed of the situation by his horrified mother.

Roman returns the glance, appearing equally perplexed.

"She might discover someone she likes on your lands!" Roman takes a breath so quickly and forcefully that a button falls off his shirt as Richard continues.

Watch what you say about my deputy, Dad, you're not the Alpha anymore," York snaps back, his sister's eyes widening. Lana turns to glance at York, and Marie firmly nods in response to the firm undertone in his voice. Marie replies softly, "Roman, if you wouldn't mind walking into the kitchen, I can have someone prepare you some tea, or coffee if you prefer," pointing at the door leading into the kitchen.

Roman shuffles to where she indicated and gives a quiet nod. The family needs time to converse privately.

Have you become insane, I ask? When the other alpha leaves the room, Marie roars and immediately turns on Richard. Or, either method works—the time it's to shout.

While Lana is being led to the opposite side of the room, York furrows his brows and clutches her arm.

"Richard, what the hell? You can't just exchange her since she isn't a land or a prisoner "Marie says, her voice getting louder and more enraged. Dick stands there, appearing somewhat perplexed.

He stutters, "I just wanted her to find someone and be happy," to which Marie reacts angrily, turning red like her daughter.

She cries, "I don't need anybody to make me happy," and the two Wilcott kids who are there cringe a little bit and lean back as if they are trying to get away from the intensity of her rage.

York pushes Lana towards the direction of the kitchen while nervously looking back at his irate mother and his illiterate father.

A glass of water is slid in front of Lana as he seats her at the kitchen table and watches her.

He is afraid of Lana because she often snaps when she becomes cold and is removed from what is happening.

Roman is observing the interactions between the silent siblings while seated on a high stool at the marble bar.

He shrugs, and says, casually, "You can come to my pack if you wish." York looks at him with wrinkled brows.

York snaps at him, placing his arm around Lana, who is sipping her water in complete stillness, "I'd prefer my deputy remained here, where I need her to do her job."

"There, she could finish her work. If she wanted to get away from here for even a week, I would understand - no offense to you at all - and she wouldn't even have to leave the packhouse. There are other things your father said, and I don't think he phrased them the way he intended to, "Roman replies cautiously, keeping his eyes on York.

"She must decide. She is capable of choosing for herself "York says, softly hugging his older sister.

Lana murmurs, remarkably dejected, "I want to go.